cause to decay

  • 1Decay theory — proposes that memory fades due to the mere passage of time. Information is therefore less available for later retrieval as time passes and memory, as well as memory strength, wears away.[1] When we learn something new, a neurochemical “memory… …

    Wikipedia

  • 2Decay — De*cay , n. 1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness, prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection; tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption; rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the body; the… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3decay — [dē kā′, dikā′] vi. [ME decaien < Anglo Fr & OFr decäir < VL * decadere: see DECADENCE] 1. to lose strength, soundness, health, beauty, prosperity, etc. gradually; waste away; deteriorate 2. to rot or decompose 3. to undergo radioactive… …

    English World dictionary

  • 4Decay — De*cay , v. t. 1. To cause to decay; to impair. [R.] [1913 Webster] Infirmity, that decays the wise. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To destroy. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 5decay */ — I UK [dɪˈkeɪ] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms decay : present tense I/you/we/they decay he/she/it decays present participle decaying past tense decayed past participle decayed 1) to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of… …

    English dictionary

  • 6decay — 01. The [decaying] leaves in the garden are actually good for it and make the soil richer. 02. Tooth [decay] is preventable with proper oral hygiene. 03. The dentist said my tooth is so [decayed] that he may have to pull it. 04. The rise in… …

    Grammatical examples in English

  • 7decay — decayable, adj. decayedness /di kayd nis, kay id /, adj. decayless, adj. /di kay /, v.i. 1. to become decomposed; rot: vegetation that was decaying. 2. to decline in excellence, prosperity, health, etc.; deteriorate. 3. Physics. (of a radioactive …

    Universalium

  • 8decay — de|cay1 [ dı keı ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or transitive to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change, or to destroy something in this way: As dead trees decay, they feed the soil. Too much sugar will decay your teeth. 2 …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 9decay — I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French decaïr, from Late Latin decadere to fall, sink, from Latin de + cadere to fall more at chance Date: 15th century intransitive verb 1. to decline from a sound or prosperous condition 2. to… …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10decay — /dəˈkeɪ/ (say duh kay) verb (i) 1. to fall away from a state of excellence, prosperity, health, etc.; deteriorate; decline. 2. to become decomposed; rot. 3. Physics a. (of a radioactive substance) to transform into a daughter product. b. (of an… …